Ceiling Fan
As our summer temperatures are cooling down, it doesn’t necessarily mean the energy bill is going to magically disappear, but there are some things we can do to minimize them.
Use your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans help to circulate the air in a room, taking away the heat in the process. The expense of running a ceiling fan versus the Air Conditioning will result in several hundred dollars savings per year. In the fall you can set your thermostat at 78 degrees and turn on your ceiling fan. The air movement will make it feel like 72 degrees, (kind of like wind chill). Or you could just use the ceiling fans and turn the Air Conditioning all together. Also, only use fans in the rooms you are occupying to save energy. Did you know that there are several ceiling fan models that even have built in heating to help out with cold rooms in the winter?
If you do not have ceiling fans in your home and are in the market to purchase one, do your homework first. Because it will last for years, there are many considerations when deciding on a ceiling fan. How big is the room you will be using the fan in? How high are the ceilings? Would you like the fan to blend in to the décor, or become a major focal point? Will the fan be replacing a lighting fixture? Do you want manual or remote control operation features?
All ceiling fans, because of their design and low energy consumption, will start to save you money from the day you have it installed. The new Energy Star-qualified models will increase those savings even more. Before purchasing a product, read labels. Products that have undergone rigorous testing and meet the government’s strictest new guidelines for efficiency will have an Energy Star label. All products that have met the Energy Star requirements will have an easy to read consumer guide right on the label. When shopping for products, make sure that you read package labels carefully when comparison shopping to make sure you understand all information and make informed decisions.
Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com
